Rao would return to Delhi after attending an all-party condolence meeting here Friday evening for further consultations with the leadership.

His visit to Hyderabad, meeting with Jagan and return to Delhi triggered speculations in political circles here that the leadership was reluctant to name 37-year-old Jagan, a first time parliamentarian, as the next chief minister and has instead offered the post of deputy chief minister or a berth in central cabinet. The leadership is also reportedly ready to appoint him to some key post in the party.